Hair Loss fears

I am just a few weeks from having my surgery and I am having some fears about losing my hair. All of this time, I kept thinking as long as I get my protein in I can keep loss to a minimum. But I am finding the more people I talk to , is that I am gonna lose hair. How did you all deal with the thinning hair issue? Am I just being petty and vain, or did many of you have these feelings? Is their anything I can do to prevent it as much as possible? I am feeling guilty for having these feelings, Because I should just be so greatful that I am this close to having my life saved by this surgery. And if I go bald as a billiard ball, I can always get me a Dolly Parton Wig. LOL I am sorry for wimping out and Whining about something so trivial. Love you all, Laura

Hi Laura, I worry about that too, but from what I've been told is that yes, your hair may thin but it also does grow back. Were you at the Southeastern Med support group meeting Thursday by any chance? I was there! If you were there, I was the one sitting with my Son...The one whose cell phone started ringing during our meeting! *hugs* Denise

I had my surgery in November and yes I had some thinning of my hair. I had it cut short and its now growing back. Ahhh don't worry, I don't know anyone who wound up looking like a billard ball. I don't think you are being silly at all. I don't know anyone who hasn't worried about it. If you are like me and my friends who had the surgery, you'll find that most people won't even notice those few hairs that you may lose. I work with one woman who actually said her hair got thicker! We're all different. I used to think if I went bald, I could at least use my bald head to advertise my weight loss. Right now it would say ...... -97!

everyones hair seems to be growing back but mine. I went to the hairdressers yesterday and she saw 2 hairs coming. Mine is very thin. And still losing. I am 9 months out and I am getting very worried

Cindy, lets hope that the two hairs are the begging of better days ahead. I am pretty concerned about mine. It is thinning and I am about 6 months out. My 6 month blood work showed that my protien levels are good and I have been using the biotin shampoo. I am going to get the biotin tablets--but I just hope that it doesn't make all the other body hair...that we don't necessarily appreciate ....grow. How is your son doing after his surgery? Debra

I had really thick hair to begin with. I always shed a lot, but at about 4 months I noticed it coming out more. But after that it stopped. A few years before surgery when I was at my highest, my hair starting to thin a lot. I would get out of the shower and have a huge clump on my lower back and when I would twist it to get the water out even more came out in my hands. I was very concerned and that is what first got me scared about my weight. At that time I'm sure it was mal-nurishment, not that I wasn't eating a lot...I was but it was crap, probably not a lot of protein, etc.

Loraine, it's not trivial, Men don't WANT to go bald, but women MUST not be bald! It ain't right! My hair was thin to begin with, and it is thinner now. I did get a perm a week ago, my hair is so fine and straight that I took a chance on a very gentle perm - it worked fine, and makes my hair look thicker. I am just hoping that with all the weight I'm losing, no one will look at my scalp. I take my vitamins, including 2400 of biotin and quite a bit of flaxseed (just started that lately). Am trying to learn about how much zinc to take. Drinking lots of water! The beautician said she didn't see ANY new growth yet. I've heard that this can happen from various types of surgery, not just WLS. Not very comforting, though. Anyhow, there doesn't seem to be a "silver bullet" on this issue so I'm trying everything. Also planning to buy the Nioxin scalp treatment, my beautician said this is the most important of their products. Good luck - if I ever see you I may be sporting a Dolly, too! Kitty B. RNY 12/13/04 251 / Now 181 / Goal 145

I have a handout from my surgeon's office that talks about hair loss. It says that hair loss can be contributed to: 1) Rapid Weight Loss 2) Stress, including surgical stress 3) Prolonged protein deficiency 4) Hormonal Imbalances such as thyroid and testosterone 5) Severe iron deficiency 6) Other nutrients that may effect hair growth: a. Deficiency of zinc, essential fatty acids, vitamin C b. Toxicity of vitamin A Inadequate protien is considered less than 50 grams daily. For iron deficiency it says pre-menopausal women should take 325 mg Ferrous Sulphate tablet and two multi-vitamin tablets daily. It says men and post-menopausal women need not take iron unless a deficiency is noted in your labs. It says that two multi vitamins are usually 30 mg of zinc which is twice the recommended amount and should be adequate. If you want to take additional zink be aware that in excess it can inhibit the absorption of iron and copper. The dose should be limited to 25-50 mg elemental zinc and should not be taken with your mulit vitmain or iron supplement. Vitamin C - additional should be limited to 500 mg Essential Fatty Acids - Include polyunsaturated fatty acids in your diet Vitamin A - do not take Hope this is helpful. I am guessing it is accurate since it came from the surgeon's office. I also think that this is not a trivial fear and it is one I am sure just about everyone of us have!! I know I do!! Smile - Stacey

I JUST SAW YOUR POST AND WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I AM 4 MONTHS OUT AND HAVE STARTED LOSING MY HAIR.. IT IS A LITTLE SCARRY... BUT I KNOW IT WILL COME BACK... I AM USING SHAMPOO FROM THE SALON THAT HAS BIOTIN IN IT.. YOU LET IT REST ON YOUR SCALP FOR 3 MIN AT EACH SHAMPOOING THAT IS SUPPOSE TO STIMULATE NEW GROWTH. I ALSO TAK 2000MG OF BIOTIN EACH DAY... I GET AN AVERAGE OF 70 PROTEIN A DAY DRINK 64 OZ OF WATER AND MY HAIR STILL STARTED TO COME OUT... SO YOU SEE SOME ARE PRONE TO THIS AND SOME ARE NOT.. DO THE BEST YOU CAN .. AND KNOW IN YOUR HEART THAT IT WILL GROW BACK. MAY TAKE A WHILE BUT IT WILL GROW BACK.. BONBON